Virginia M. Balsbaugh

Virginia M. (Gilbert) Balsbaugh, 94, Denver, Indiana, passed away Saturday, January 5, 2013 at Peabody Healthcare Center, North Manchester, Wabash County, Indiana.

She was born April 7, 1918 near Servia, Wabash County, Indiana to Rev. Elmer H. and Ina Arminda (McFarland) Gilbert. Virginia was a member of the Church of the Brethren at Clear Creek and later the First Brethren Church, Mexico, Indiana, where she served as deaconess for many years. She married Charles W. Balsbaugh on December 28, 1941 at the Clear Creek Church of the Brethren, Huntington County, Indiana by her father, Rev. Elmer H. Gilbert. Charles preceded her in death November 27, 2009.

Virginia graduated from Chester High School, North Manchester, Indiana in 1936 and received her teaching degree from Manchester College. She received her Master's Degree in Library Science from Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana in 1961. She taught school at Mexico, Metea, Deedsville and Macy and was the first librarian at North Miami High School, Denver, Indiana, retiring in 1973. She was a member of Pink Ladies, Indiana State Teachers Association, Delta Kappa Gamma, Literary Club and the Women's Missionary Society. Virginia loved to read, play the piano, crochet, sew and play cards.

She is survived by three daughters: Jean A. Musselman and husband Donald G., Linda M. Koenig and husband Jack C., and Peggy J. Wellsand and husband William D., all of Denver, IN; five grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren; her sister, B. Josephine (Gilbert) Hibbs and husband Orlo, Columbia City, IN, her sister-in-law, Marguerite A. Buckingham, Warsaw, IN; several cousins; and many nieces and nephews.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, four sisters and two brothers; Ethel M. (Gilbert) and husband Myron E. Hyde, E. Madeline (Gilbert) and husband William M. Walls, M. Louise Gilbert, Arthur R. Gilbert and wife Marsha R. (Pearson) , Dorotha P. (Gilbert) and husband J. Eldon Zinsmeister, J. Edward Gilbert and wife Mildred L. (Morris) and and her brothers-in-law, Herman L. Buckingham and Jack Hively.

Friends may call on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 from noon until and 2:00 pm at the McClain Funeral Home, Denver, IN with services at 2:00 pm with Pastor Matthew Haynes officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery at Mexico, IN. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Brethren Church in Mexico, IN or the North Miami High School Library.